Small community rallies to celebrate its history

Along the winding and construction ridden State Road 207, near the St. Johns County Fair Grounds, lies the community of Armstrong.

Despite dwindling numbers -- there are only about 300 residents -- town leaders wanted to celebrate their shared history.

Today marks the 91st anniversary of the town and Armstrong residents have gathered for the past two days to celebrate their heritage.

Festivities began Friday night with Family Fun Night, lifelong Armstrong resident and member of Armstrong Community Association, Patricia Milton said.

"Many residents showed up," she said. "There were fireworks, it was spectacular."

The celebration continued Saturday at the Armstrong Recreation Field with music, food and games.

Today the celebration wraps up at the First Baptist Church with the dedication of a monument after services.

Milton said the purpose for the celebration is not only to educate the residents on the history of Armstrong, but more importantly to bring the community together.

"We want to be able to bridge the gap between the older people and the younger kids," Milton said. "Let's try to live here in harmony."

The community of Armstrong began Oct. 5, 1912, when developers Heth Canfield and J.L. Crary laid out Armstrong on behalf of The Clay Bottom Farms Company, which owned a large tract of land near the railroad station there, Milton said.

Once a town with stores, a school and a medical clinic, Milton said she's seen the community go into a downward spiral over the past decades.

"There used to be a post office, a couple of stores. Now there's nothing," she said. "There's no progress, just retrogress."

Milton and other residents said the community has fallen victim to drugs, violence.

"The older teens don't take any pride. They don't show any respect. They're on the street selling drugs," Milton said. "My house has been broken into eight times. I've had a brick thrown through the back window of my car."

Resident Andrew Williams said he has had similar experiences.

"I left in 1960 and came back in 1990," he said. "If I'd knew what it was like, I wouldn't have come back. You used to be able to leave your door unlocked, but not anymore. At night you can't even drive down the street because of all the kids. They won't move out of the way. It's the drugs, that's what's wrong with the kids."

Milton said the only way the community will survive is to instill pride in future generations.

"If we could get the younger kids to have a change of heart, Armstrong could be almost a gated community," she said.

However, Williams has a different idea.

"The only way we can stop it is if we get a tractor trailer and take all those kids to the detention center," he said.

Both said more support from law enforcement would also help.

Despite seeing her community deteriorate, Milton said she isn't going anywhere.